Wednesday, November 13, 2024 At the 2024 Shanghai International Cruise Summit, China ’s cruise industry leaders expressed optimism for market recovery while highlighting the need for ongoing innovation and streamlined processes. The event gathered key players aiming to meet evolving consumer expectations and foster growth in the post-pandemic cruise sector. Ben Bouldin, President of Royal Caribbean International, China, noted a significant shift in consumer behavior, with Chinese travelers now willing to invest more in vacations.
However, he observed that these consumers are increasingly discerning, with a rising demand for culturally immersive experiences at their destinations. To enhance customer satisfaction, Royal Caribbean is focused on reducing “friction points,” such as cutting embarkation and disembarkation times and enabling smoother visa-free movement. The company’s goal is to achieve a curb-to-ship boarding time of under 20 minutes.
Bouldin also acknowledged a gap in awareness among Chinese passengers, who often take two to three days to fully navigate their cruise experience. To address this, he intends to partner with travel agencies to improve pre-cruise education, ensuring passengers are better prepared for their journeys. Echoing the call for streamlined travel, Helen Huang, President of MSC Cruises China, emphasized the need for regulatory changes to allow cruise lines to offer services beyond ticket sales.
She highlighted MSC’s efforts to set up a .
